A Brighter Departure
The ship drifted through space, sparkling stars scattered across the view. The sight was almost enough to make me forget about Ma-Oktava.
I cleared my throat. My heart raced as I inched closer to the command room just as Agile-Eye asked of me.
I only knew three members of the Guardians of the Unirex: Agile-Eye, the wise one; Night Coven, the friendly one; and Aureolo, the weird one. I had caught glimpses of the other two, but I didn't know them well enough to form an opinion.
Aureolo — the weird one — had tried to get a closer look at Gibralla's claws when we played Monomitt together.
I stared at the closed door, wondering what to do. I turned my head left and right, searching for someone. No one was in sight. What should I do?
"Agile-Eye."
I called.
The door slid open.
Decorations hung around the room — gold fringe, banners, and floating lights. Someone had clearly tried to make the place look welcoming.
I took a step into the room where everyone was waiting for me. I felt out of place among them.
"Tigeralla, let me introduce everyone to you."
Agile-Eye said. They waited for me, scattered throughout the room. Some wore masks, while others did not.
"Hi," said the man in the maroon suit. He was lean and slightly taller than me. His name was Red-Coope. Quiet.
He seemed quiet. Decent enough.
"And there is Toxic Doxie."
The woman in a neon-lichen green suit stood against the left wall with her arms crossed. She stared at me, eyeing me as if I were prey.
My gaze shifted back—and Aureolo was suddenly right in my face. Instinctively, I stepped back.
"We are going to be buddies," said Aureolo. The same guy who was obsessed with my claws.
Why him?
"So, Tigeralla, are you excited to work with me?"
I hesitantly nodded.
"You can ignore him, Tigeralla. We all do."
Red-Coope said.
"Oh, you're all just jealous of my fun personality," he said before hooking his arm around me.
He leaned in and whispered in my ear, "We are going to have so much fun."
"Aureolo!"
Agile-Eye yelled from behind. Aureolo's arm dropped down and he stood up straight.
"Don't mind him, Tigeralla, he has a habit of being… this way."
She turned her attention toward him, glaring at him.
"Corner. Now."
He pouted before walking off.
"I apologize. He should make a better impression of himself."
"No, it is fine."
Just then a tall, broad-shouldered figure wearing a formal white suit came in. My eyes followed him. He radiated authority just as Agile-Eye does.
"Mr. Hornet."
Agile-Eye said, bringing me along with her to stand in front of the man they all called 'Hornet-Mask'.
I stared up at him. He appeared old — wrinkles lined his face, and his white hair was like Ouubuutt's.
"Agile," he said before turning his gaze towards me, "Tig-eralla?"
"Yes."
I nodded. He was the first one to say my name properly.
Tig-eralla, instead of Tigeralla.
"Welcome. I hope you fit in well here. If there is anything you need, I am always here."
"Mr. Hornet."
Aureolo said, running towards me. He stopped just a few inches away.
"I have a complaint."
"Yes, Aureolo?"
"Agile has been rude to me."
"Aureolo–"
"Agile, let him finish."
"I am merely awed by Tigeralla's claws yet she thinks I'm being weird."
Hornet-Mask's head turned towards me.
"Do you have a problem with Aureolo looking at your claws?"
I glanced between Agile and Aureolo before shaking my head.
What else was I supposed to say?
I had barely joined, and I was already complaining…?
Ma didn't raise me to be a complainer.
"Alright, that is settled. Agile, head out to tell the elders of Ma-Oktava that we are landing soon."
"Alright, Mr. Hornet."
The planet Aurelion slowly came into view. It was humongous. Larger than anything I had seen. It was green and blue. Nothing like Ma-Oktava. The ship pierced through the white clouds, heading down. The others watched beside me. Ma stood beside Motalla with a hand on her shoulder as we all looked down.
Small islands dotted the vast blue surface.
"Wow…"
Fattralla whispered as she stood beside me, palms pressed against the glass.
We were going to live here.
My family was going to live here.
I wouldn't worry about them so much now, seeing how beautiful our new home was.
I watched as Ma packed up three pieces from her pottery collection. She really didn't need to.
A few days had passed since we were staying on one of the many Virellan Atoll islands. This one was called Virella-T. Ma and the others were slowly getting used to the fresh air, the greenery.
She and the other parents had continued making pottery with the clay found near the river.
"Ma," I said, grabbing her hand and pulling her to stand up. "I don't need these. I will be fine without them."
"But you don't know when you will need them. Just in case," she pulled her hand free, heading over to the table to grab the small smoke bundle used to bless a home. She added it to the bag as well.
"Ma…" I pulled her up once again. Before she could say anything, I wrapped my arms around her.
"Eralla…"
Her arms tightened around me.
"We will miss you," said Koralla.
"Don't be gone for long."
Ma added.
"I will come back as quickly as Hornet-Mask allows me to."
My arms loosened before dropping to my sides. I picked up the bag, turning around. I walked past my siblings, patting each one on the head.
Motalla waited at the end with her arms crossed. Frowning. My departure will affect her the most, she will have to take on the duty of the family.
"Motalla, look at me."
My finger gripped her chin, turning her head towards me. She yanked her face away, refusing to look at me.
Both of my hands gently grasped her shoulders.
"Motalla, look at me."
I repeated. Slowly, she turned her head towards me.
"You need to stand up for our family. I trust you to do that."
She stared at me, tears welling in her eyes. My arms wrapped around her tightly.
"Don't be gone for too long. I don't want to be the provider."
"I won't."
"Ahsshitt*?"
"Ahsshitt."
I smiled, recalling Motalla's crying face. She always made it clear she didn't want to be responsible, yet now she is above the clouds, far away, looking after Ma and the others.
My feet softly thudded against the stone path of the arena's four gardens. This one was labelled A. Just A.
I looked to the right. The tall trees with dark brown bark and pink leaves surrounded the perimeter of the arena. They blocked the view from any outsider. They were not native to Earth, yet they thrived here.
It had barely been four months since I joined the GOU and left Ma, yet I already missed them.
I wanted to go back to them — just for another hug, just for another minute together.
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Txetia Glossary
Ahsshitt (A-ah-ssh-it) — means "Promise"